With 50 years of history selling trucks in Australia the team at UD Trucks have more than a few stories to share, including tales from an epic road trip last year
When the sun sets on December 31, 2023, UD Truck’s celebrations of its 50th years of operation in Australia will officially come to an end.
The company, now part of Volvo Group Australia has plenty of good stories to reflect upon over that time, including the results of a 15,500km journey undertaken about this time last year to gather customer stories and test the hardiness of a UD prime mover against Australia’s climate and roads.
 |
|
Volvo Group Australia’s Matt Wood hit the road for adventure in a UD truck
|
Volvo Group Australia’s public relations and media manager Matt Wood was tasked with circumnavigating the country around this time last year.
As the anniversary of the trip nears Matt reflects on the insights gained along the way in the UD Quon CW 25 360 truck he travelled in.
“So, it turns out that the Quon was very fuel efficient,” says Wood. “At a gross weight of over 22,000kg the truck averaged 2.9km/l.
“Unlike the truck which had a thrifty appetite, I ended up succumbing to the temptations of road food resulting in a higher-than-average steer axle weight by the end of trip!”
RELATED STORY: Volvo Group Australia boosts its executive team
Wood says the truck “never ceased to amaze” even when it was tackling tough outback country roads ranging from broken tarmac to corrugated dirt.
“While a 6×4 rigid isn’t usually the first vehicle to spring to mind when it comes to long distance transport, this truck proved that long hours in the saddle don’t have to mean a sore back or aching limbs,” Wood says.
Following national Highway 1, the trip was inspired by UD Trucks founder Kenzo Adachi’s legendary 1939 test drive where he embarked on a 3000 km journey to prove the ultimate dependability of his new vehicle.
Aside from being a good test for the truck, Woods says his journey provided plenty of opportunities to catch up with customers and hear their stories about working with the brand for all manner of business enterprises.
“It was a great opportunity to meet the faces of UD, customers and dealers off the beaten track that built the brand here in Australia and made it what it is today,” he says.
Woods says conditions on the trip ranged from the searing heat and the humidity of the tropical far north on the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria to the dry and harsh terrain across the vast reaches of Australia, and the truck performed amazingly well.
UD Trucks outgoing vice president Lauren Pulitano says the reliability results of the journey were pleasing.
“We see the UD Quon delivering safety, reliability, comfort and efficiency for our customers day and day out,” Pulitano says.
“However, taking our truck into the wilderness to visit some of the people that helped build our business over the last five decades allowed us to take the road less travelled and tell their genuine stories.”
“Stories of hard work, dedication, and trust. Stories that have made the Australian transport industry and UD Trucks what they are today.”
 |
|
The Lap of the Map tour included some iconic sight seeing
|